Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “A prosperous life”
Our Bible verse for today: “… make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Andy had it right.”
I’ve always been a big fan of the Andy Griffith show. I grew up with Andy, Opie, Barney, and Aunt Bea on my television. The thing I liked so much about that show (and still do) is the quiet simple life it portrayed and the honorable quality of the lives of those ordinary everyday people. The neighborhood where I actually grew up in central New Jersey was more of a “Leave it to Beaver” setting, but it had a similar simplicity, quietness, and wholesome quality to it.
Had the Apostle Paul lived in the 1960s I think he would have been a big fan of the Andy Griffith Show and Leave it to Beaver. The simple and wholesome lifestyle that was modeled for us in those shows is a theme that Paul returned to frequently in his Biblical writings. In Philippians 4:10-13 he urged us to learn how to be content. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 he commends a quiet life of honest work and personal behavior that others view with admiration and respect. He carried that thought forward in 2 Thessalonians where he emphasized qualities like being firm in your convictions (2:15); being faithful in prayer (3:1); working hard (3:12); and doing good (3:13).
We live in a world that glorifies high profile accomplishments. The message seems to be that we should all be hard-charging, aggressive, flashy, even self-promoting if necessary, as we go through life achieving all we can, accumulating all we can, and consuming all we can. But we all know what an empty life that mindset often creates.
Please don’t misunderstand the point I’m making here. Those of you who know me know that I’m a firm believer in “living life large”. I do think we should get a good education, develop our skills and abilities, work hard to accomplish meaningful things, take advantage of our opportunities, and seek out adventure such as international mission trips. The Apostle Paul did all of those things. But at the same time Paul was a simple and quiet man who had learned to be content and who valued good character and high integrity.
Can there be an “Andy of Mayberry” quality to your life while still living life large? Yes. I personally know many people who are doctors, lawyers, nurses, school teachers, paramedics, etc, who go on mission trips, assist in disaster relief efforts, ride motorcycles, go on cruises, and lots of other exciting and fun things. In other words they are living lives of achievement, purpose and adventure but at the same time there is a sense of peace and quiet, simplicity and integrity at the center of their lives.
You can have both. Don’t forget that Andy was a Sheriff and Ward Cleaver was an investment banker in New York City – two busy and honorable professions held by men who are remembered as quiet, simple, and of high character.
I think Andy had it right. So did Ward Cleaver. So did the Apostle Paul. How about you? Don’t get so focused on achievement and accumulating that you sacrifice simplicity and peace.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 